Apparatus and method for quenching metal extrusions



Feb. 7, 1967 J. A. (SLUMPNER ET AL 3,303,062

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR QUENCHING METAL EXTRUSIONS 5 Sheets-$heet 1 Filed Aug. 28, 1963 INVENTORS. JOSEPH A. CLUMPNER JAMES E. DORE ATTORNEY Feb. 7, 1967 A ER ETAL 3,303,062

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR QUENCHING METAL EXTRUSIONS Filed Aug. 28, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-2 I I 5% Y I J:- Q

INVENTORS' JOSEPH ACLUMPNE/P JAMES E. DORE W EMW A T TORNEY Feb. 7, 1967 J CLUMPNER ETAL 3,303,062

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR QUENCHING METAL EXTRUSIONS Filed Aug. 28, 1963 5 Sheets-$het 3 INVENTORS. JOSEPH A. CLUMPNER JAMES E. DORE ATTORNEY Feb. 7, 1967 J. A. CLUMPNER ETAL 3,303,062

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR QUENCHING METAL EXTRUSIONS Filed Aug. 28, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4- INVENTORSI JOSEPH A. CL UMPNEA JAMES E. DORE 7 I M/Zi/M ATTORNEY Feb. 7, 1967 J. A. CLUMPNER ET AL 3,303,062

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR QUENCHING METAL EXTRUSIONS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 28, 1963 N @Nhw INVENTORS.' JOSEPH'A. CLUMPNER JAMES E DORE BY I ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,303,062 APPARATUS AND METHQD FOR QUENCHING METAL EXTRUSIUNS Joseph A. Clumpner, Bethany, and James E. Dore, Milford, ConlL, assignors to Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, a corporation of Virginia Filed Aug. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 305,081 21 Claims. (Cl. 14813) This invention relates generally to an apparatus and process for rapidly cooling extruded non-ferrous alloy shapes and more particularly to a spray quenching device and process for continuously and rapidly cooling such extruded shapes by means of high pressure liquid spray uniformly and controllably applied to all portions of the extrusions. This invention makes possible the elimination of distortion problems normally encountered with conventional continuous quenching systems and also facilitates the production of extrusions with exceptionally high tensile properties at maximum press production rates as well as the fabrication of new shapes heretofore incapable of being produced by means of high speed extrusion and continuous quenching.

In order to achieve high mechanical properties in certain non-ferrous met-a1 alloy extrusions, it is necessary to either solution heat treat and then artificially age the extrusions, or water quench them as soon as possible after they exit from the die followed by artificial aging. Since solution heat treating facilities are an additional expense and represent an extra step in the fabricating sequence, it is a more economical practice to utilize the aforementioned water quench procedure.

Two methods for water quenching have been conventionally employed. One of these is to dip the extrusions in a large tank of water after they have been removed from the extrusion die. Among the more serious drawbacks of this method is the necessity for delaying the quenching of the extrusion until a finite length thereof has been formed and withdrawn from the extrusion die, or in the alternative providing a somewhat cumbersome arrangement whereby the extrusion can pass directly from the die into, and be submerged in, the tank of water. Also dip quenching has severe limitations with respect to the cooling rate exerted on the extrusion which results in less than desired mechanical properties.

The other method for water quenching has been to quench the extrusions continuously on a run out table as they emerge from the extrusion die. As evidenced 'by the prior art, a number of attempts have been made to develop a satisfactory method for continuously quenching heat treatable non-ferrous alloy extruded shapes. Quenching the extrusions by spraying water at low pressure from commercial nozzles or from a series of holes drilled in a pipe have both been among the methods that have been tried. Devices of this type have not met with great commercial success because of certain significant limitations, one of which is that cooling is inadequate thereby resulting in an unreasonably long resident time being required to quench the extrusion to the desired final temperature. As a consequence, the extrusion press must operate at a reduced production speed and over-all press productivity is adversely affected.

Another significant drawback of conventional spray quenching methods is that several types of excessive distortion of the extrusions are encountered during quenching. It has been found that certain shapes twist as they move through the cooling chamber and they must be untwisted before they are commercially acceptable, thus introducing an additional fabrication step. Bowing is another serious problem. Instead of coming straight through the quenching chamber the shape arches unless forcibly held in place. Attempts have been made to 33%,062 Patented Feb. 7, 1967 eliminate these problems by constructing guide rails in the spray chamber, but this has resulted in extrusions which either buckle or are so marked by the guide rails as to be commercially unacceptable. Furthermore, a special set of guide rails is required for each shape. A still further type of distortion is encountered with intricate thin-wall shapes in which differential cooling produces twisting or buckling of certain portions of these shapes thus making it impossible to meet dimensional tolerances.

These and many other disadvantages and shortcomings of prior spray quenching methods and devices are overcome to an unexpected degree by rapid surface cooling achieved through high pressure water spray quenching. Many additional unexpected advantages are achieved by high pressure spray quenching and particularly by the apparatus and process of the invention disclosed herein. For example, in extruded shapes having a heavy wall thickness e.g., pipe or bar, the surface temperature drops quickly to the point where incipient boiling occurs which keeps the surface cool causing the heat stored in the shape to be conducted quickly to the surface; thus heavy shapes are cooled much faster than when they are initially quenched with low pressure as evidenced by the fact that a 3" bar can be quenched in about 3 seconds when traveling through a high pressure spray zone. By comparison, a cooling time of 15 seconds or longer is required in a low pressure spray zone. Assuming that the bars are extruded at a constant rate, a spray quenching chamber utilizing the principles of this invention would be only ,4; as long as an equivalent low pressure cooling system, thus achieving economy of equipment, ease of operation and more efiicient utilization of space.

Another significant advantage of high pressure spray quenching as applied to the apparatus and process of this invention is that thin-wall shapes are quenched so rapidly that distortion is either drastically reduced or entirely eliminated. This is accomplished by providing adjustable spray patterns in or at the entrance to the quenching zone of the apparatus so that water sprays impact the shape at approximately the same position on the top, sides and bottom thereof. Provision is additionally made for adjustably controlling water pressure at each spray source. Thus, when quenching a shape such as pipe, pressure is adjusted to give uniform cooling all around the periphery within the quenching zone. Failure to do this will cause distortion of the pipe into an oval or egg shape. Similarly, when quenching nonuniform shapes such as one having thin legs attached to a heavier portion, water pressure at each spray source is adjusted so that the entire cross section will cool uniformly. If this is not done, thermal stresses produced by non-uniform cooling will cause distortion and warping.

Uniform cooling is accomplished by adjusting water source pressure and/or volume to spray more water on the heavier portion than on the thin legs.

Still another significant advantage of this invention lies in the extent to which the final temperature of extrusions as they emerge from the spray chamber can be precisely controlled. Through various control elements incorpo rated in the spray quenching apparatus, coolant flow rate and pressure at each spray source is controlled to vary the extent of cooling thus rendering the quenching apparatus highly suitable for quenching extrusions made from alloys in which higher physical properties can be achieved by controlling the final quench temperature.

With these merit-able features of high pressure spray quenching in mind, we have successfully developed an improved apparatus for continuous quenching of extrusions that substantially eliminates all of the previously mentioned problems and achieves the foregoing advantages. The apparatus consists generally of a suitable extrusion receiving and supporting means which is adapted to have an extrusion move thereover in a longitudinal direction as the extrusion emerges from the exit die of an extrusion press coupled with a spray quenching means associated with the aforementioned receiving and supporting means and being disposed at a first location relative to the receiving and supporting means, and means responsive to an interruption or cessation of movement of the extrusion for moving the quenching means from the first mentioned location toward a second location relative to the receiving and supporting means which second location is spaced in a direction opposite to the direction in which the extrusion moves over the receiving and supporting means, with the result that continued relative movement between the extrusion and the quenching means is maintained even after the extrusion ceases its forward movement.

The apparatus consists more particularly of an elongate enclosure mounted on a vertically adjustable run out table which in turn is supported by a collection tank disposed adjacent the exit face of an extruison press and in spaced relationship to the extrusion die located inwardly of the face of the press. This enclosure, which, with the collection tank, defines a spray chamber, includes spray nozzles, piping, control valves, and pressure gages, along with a moveable manifold and underspray manifold sections. High pressure coolant, e.g. water, at 250 p.s.i., is supplied to the spray chamber through a manifold system which feeds a plurality of spray nozzles mounted in the enclosure. These nozzles apply cooling Water to the upper and side portions of extrusions as the latter move through the enclosure. A separate nozzle manifold, attached to the bottom of the run out table, applies cooling water to the underside of the extrusions through openings formed in the run out table. Throttling valves and pressure gages for the individual nozzles are mounted on the outside of the enclosure for the purpose of controlling water pressure and fiow rate. A system of baffles cooperate with directed Wiper sprays to confine the coolant within the spray chamber and prevent splashing of the coolant from the open ends of the enclosure.

A moveable manifold containing a group of nozzles is located at the inlet end of the spray chamber. This manifold is moveable by appropriate actuating mechanism to be hereinafter more fully described, in response to a cessation of movement of the extrusion, and in a direction toward the extrusion die to permit a uniform continuation of the extrusion quenching during the interrupted movement of the extrusion when the extrusion press has reached the end of its stroke, and the extrusion must be sheared off from the butt end of the extrusion billet. The nozzles in this manifold are mounted with swivel connectors so that the impact pattern of water on the extrusion may be adjusted. These nozzles also have individual control valves and pressure gages. Spent coolant is collected in a sump tank directly underneath the chamber.

We have also developed a novel method for continuously and uniformly quenching an extrusion which is subject to intermittent movement as it emerges from an extrusion press which generally comprises the steps of continuously quenching the extrusion at a given location or quenching station which is disposed at a first location spaced from the extrusion press, the quenching taking place as the extrusion moves past the quenching station, subsequently moving the quenching station toward the extrusion press to a second location which is disposed nearer to the extrusion press than the first mentioned location while the extrusion remain-s stationary, thereby maintaining the continuity of quenching of the extrusion, and thereafter removing the extrusion from the quenching station.

Having thus generally described the invention, it becomes a principal object thereof to provide a high efiiciency continuous extrusion spray quenching device for quenching uniform and non-uniform shapes.

Another object of the present invention lies in the provision of a spray quenching apparatus in which continuous cooling of the extrusion is maintained during periods of cessation of movement of the extrusion inherent in the extruding process.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a quenching device utilizing high pressure spray which is uniformly or selectively distributed around the periphery of the extrusion.

It is another object of the invention to provide a quenching device utilizing high pressure spray to rapidly cool an extrusion immediately after the exit thereof from the extrusion die to minimize or eliminate distortion, and to eliminate bowing.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a high pressure spray quenching device which achieves rapid cooling to reduce equipment size and attain high production rates.

Yet another object of the invention is to achieve, in a spray quenching device, controlled final quench temperatures which, in certain non-ferrous alloys, yield higher physical properties.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a high pressure spray quenching device for continuous extrusions which is economical to manufacture, eflicient in operation and simple to install and maintain.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a method of uniformly cooling continuous extrusions in which all portions of the extrusion are quenched without interruption thereby eliminating excessive scrap due to discontinuity of quenching.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description there-of when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of theapparatus for carrying out the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 illustrating the underspray apparatus;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the run out table;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating details of construction of the moveable manifold portion of the apparatus of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG- URE 1 with parts removed for clarity of detail; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 77 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGURE 1, the high pressure spray apparatus of this invention is seen to comprise a coolant collection tank generally indicated by the reference number 12 and which is illustrated as being substantially rectangular and having opposite side and end walls 14 and 16 respectively.

One of the end walls 16 has secured thereto a drip trough 18 having a slightly inclined bottom wall 20 and a pair of upstanding sides 22, the end of the trough being provided with a plurality of threaded openings 24 by means of which the tank 12 is secured to the exit face 26 of an extrusion press (shown in phantom) which houses a forming die 28 through which heated metal is pushed in conventional manner. It is to be understood that the extrusion press forms no part of the present invention and is illustrated herein only for the purpose of showing the comparative relationship between the spray apparatus of this invention and the extrusion equipment with which it is intended to be associated.

The collection tank 12 is provided with a suitable opening (not shown) in the floor thereof to facilitate drainage of the water or other coolant deposited in the tank as a result of the quenching operation. Any suitable piping arrangement, either with or without pump means depend ing upon the characteristics of the particular quenching operation, may be employed for this purpose. If expedient, the same Water may be recirculated over and over again.

The tank 12, in addition to functioning as a collection means for spent coolant, also serves in the illustrated embodiment as a supporting means for an elongate run out table generally indicated by the numeral 30 and shown in more detail in FIGURE 4. The run out table comprises essentially a structural framework 32 having a pair of elongate inner rails 34 which extend substantially beyond either end wall 16 of tank 12, but laterally fit well within the side walls 14. Integrally connected to each the inner rails 34 is a longitudinally shorter outer rail 36 which extends approximately the length of tank 12 and is adapted to fit just Within the side and end walls of the tank. One end portion of the framework 32 is pivotally supported on the side walls 14 of tank 12 by means of a channel shaped member 38 secured to the underside of frame 32 and extending from one side of the outer rail 36 to the other. The channel member 38 rests upon a shaft 40 which passes through a pair of bushings 42 suitably secured to the inner surface of each side wall 14. The entire framework 32 is adapted to pivot about the shaft 40.

The opposite or entrance end of the run out table is supported on tank 12 adjacent the drip trough 18 by means of an elevating mechanism comprising a threaded shaft 44 cooperating with a threaded boss 46 suitably secured to the inner rail 34. The lower end of shaft 44 bears upon another boss 48 secured to the floor 20 of the drip trough 18. By appropriately rotating the handles 50 it is apparent that this end of the run out table is raised or lowered relative to the floor 20 of drip trough 18 which movement will also be relative to the exit die 28 of the extrusion press. This movement of the run out table facilitates the adaptability of the apparatus to various shaped extrusions which can be formed by the particular extrusion press with which the apparatus of this invention is associated. Thus, the run out table would be set in a depressed position when quenching extrusions of large cross section, and would be elevated to accept smaller size shapes.

As will be seen from FIGURES 1 and 4, the run out table 30 further comprises an elongate relatively thick extrusion supporting element 52 which preferably takes the form of a slab of graphite or other suitable high heat resistant material having a relatively low coefiicient of friction and substantially non-marring characteristics. The graphite slab 52, which provides the supporting surface over which the extrusion slides as it moves through the quenching apparatus, is supported on framework 32 by the inner rail 34 and has a length substantially commensurate with the length of the inner rail 34. It should be noted that the rail 34 and the graphite slab 52 extend beyond the end of the drip trough 18 so that the end of the slab 52 will be immediately adjacent the forming die 28 of the extrusion press when the tank assembly 12 is secured thereto. If desirable, the graphite slab may have a shaped extension 54 continuing beyond the end of the supporting rail 34 which is adapted to correspond to and fit within a recess which may be formed within the extrusion press and within which the exit die 28 may be located. Such extension forms no part of the invention and, if provided, serves only to facilitate the association of the spray quenching apparatus with the contours of a particular extrusion press.

A spray chamber for rapidly quenching the hot extrusions as they emerge from the extrusion press is defined essentially by an elongate enclosure or hood 60 which comprises a pair of opposite vertical side wall portions 62, a horizontal top wall 64 of substantially smaller width than the lateral spacing of the side Wall portions 62, a pair of slanted walls 66 connecting the vertical side wall portions 62 and the top Wall 64, and opposite partial end walls 67 which provide openings through which an extrusion passes. As can be seen in the cut away portion of tank wall 14 in FIGURE 1 and in FIGURE 6, the hood is supported by the outer rails 36 of framework 32 at an elevation slightly beneath the upper edge of tank walls 14 and 16 and within the confines thereof. It will now be apparent that when the framewrok 32 is elevated or depressed by means of the elevating mechanism described above, the entire assembly comprising run out table 30 and hood 6%) will rotate about the pivot defined by shaft 40. Thus, a constant clearance is maintained between the upper surface of graphite slab 52 and top wall 64 of hood 60 to maintain an adequate sized opening within the hood 66 for various sizes of extrusions.

From the structure described thus far, it will be apparent that the hood 60 cooperates with tank 12 to define a substantially closed spray chamber through which an extrusion is adapted to pass after emerging from the forming die of the extrusion press. The spray chamber, as viewed in FIGURE 6, is divided by the run out table 30 into upper and lower portions 68 and 70 respectively, the lower portion being bounded by side and end walls 14 and 16 of tank 12. The particular configuration of hood 60 may be modified somewhat'in order to accommodate extrusions of various sizes and shapes; generally, however, a hood will be designed with provision to accommodate the largest extrusion which can be made with the particular extrusion press being utilized.

Referring now to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, the spray quenching apparatus is provided with a plurality of spray nozzles disposed within the spray chamber in both the upper and lower portions thereof and are so located as to thoroughly deluge an extrusion passing through the chamber completely around the extrusion periphery, regardless of its shape .or size. To this end, it will be observed from FIGURE 1 that a suitable supply of a quenching medium such as water is directed to a main manifold 72 which extends substantially the entire length of hood 60. municating with the manifold 72 are a plurality of conduits extending from the manifold 72 to various portions of the hood 60 in accordance with a predetermined pattern of spray nozzle location which is dictated by, and best suited to, the cooling characteristics of a particular extrusion quenching process. In the illustrated embodiment, it will be observed from FIGURES 1 and 3 that a group of conduits 74 extend from manifold 72 up to the top wall 64 of hood 60, with the exception of the two extreme right hand conduits which terminate just below the top wall 60 (see FIGURE 6) in order to avoid interference with operating mechanism disposed on top wall 64 at this end of hood 60, which mechanism is to be described in detail hereinafter. These conduits 74 communicate with spray nozzles '75 (FIGURE 3) which are suitably secured adjacent the top wall 64 and are adapted to direct a water spray substantially over the upper portion of an extrusion passing through the spray chamber. An additional group of conduits 76 extend from manifold 72 upwardly over top wall 64 and part way down the opposite slanting Wall 66, and communicate with a plurality of nozzles 77 suitably secured to the slanting Walls 66 and are adapted to direct Water spray generally against an upper side portion of an extrusion passing through the spray chamber. A still further group .of conduits 78 extend from the manifold 72 upwardly over top wall 64 and down substantially the entire opposite side of hood 60 and communicate with a plurality of nozzles 79 suitably secured to the opposite vertical side wall portions 62 adjacent .opposite longitudinal ends of hood 60. These last mentioned nozzles are adapted to direct spray substantially against the side portions of an extrusion passing through the spray chamber.

A final plurality of conduits 80 extend from manifold 72 part way up slanting wall 66 and there penetrate wall 66, as seen in FIGURE 7 to further extend downwardly along Com the inner faces of walls 66 and 62, through the longitudinal space between inner and outer rails 34 and 36 respectively, and then laterally beneath the run out table into communication with a plurality of nozzles 81 disposed adjacent suitable apertures 53 formed in slab 52, as more clearly seen in FIGURE 2. All of the nozzles 81 are adapted to direct liquid spray against the under portions of an extrusion passing through the spray chamber as a particular segment of the extrusion passes over any of the apertures 53. It will be noted that the various nozzles 81, as they are disposed laterally across an aperture 53, are directed generally toward the longitudinal axis of the run out table slab 52 so as to envelop all peripheral portions of any part of the extrusion which is exposed through an aperture 53.

Referring again to FIGURE 1 it will be seen that all of the aforementioned conduits are provided with at least one control valve 82 and suitable pressure gages 84 so that any of the aforementioned nozzles, either individually or as grouped on a particular conduit, are adapted to deliver a liquid spray at a flow rate commensurate with a desired cooling rate. For example, if a pipe or other geometrically symmetrical shape is being extruded, the various valves 82 would be adjusted in order to deliver a volume of water from corresponding nozzles which would provide a substantially uniform cooling rate around the periphery of the extrusion. On the other hand if an extrusion having a plurality of relatively thin legs attached to a heavy connecting section is being quenched, and assuming the heavier section to be facing downwardly, the individual sprays would be adjusted to provide a substantially heavier cooling rate to the underside of the extrusion and a lighter spray providing a lesser cooling rate to the upwardly facing thinner legs. By such control the extrusion is uniformly quenched around its periphery with the result that distortion resulting from thermal stresses created by nonuniform cooling are either drastically reduced or substantially eliminated.

Referring again to FIGURE 3 it will be seen that the interior of hood 60 is provided with a plurality of baffles 86 which, in the illustrated embodiment, are disposed adjacent but spaced from the opposite longitudinal ends of the hood 60, and extend from top wall 64 down the slanted sides 66 and vertical side portions 62 to the bottom edge of the hood. It will be seen that each baffle is angled in the direction of movement of an extrusion through the quenching chamber so that the forward end of an extrusion passing through the spray chamber will be deflected back toward the longitudinal center line of the run out table if for some reason it should tend to move toward one side or the other .of the hood 60. These baffles also serve to reduce splash and/ or spray which otherwise tends to emerge from the opposite open ends of the spray chamber.

A more effective means of preventing the aforesaid splash or spray from emerging from the open ends is provided in the form of a plurality of Wiper sprays disposed adjacent the opposite longitudinal ends of the spray chamber and, in the illustrated embodiment, are the two extreme right hand nozzles 75 illustrated in FIGURE 3', the two extreme left hand nozzles 75, the two extreme left hand nozzles 77 and the two extreme left hand nozzles 79. All of these nozzles deliver a relatively thin and somewhat planer wide angle fan shaped type of spray for the purpose of setting up an efiective water curtain adjacent the opposite ends of the spray chamber which is substantially impenetrable to the splash and spray resulting from the remainder of the nozzles, these latter being primarily deluge nozzles intended to effect the bulk of the heat removal. These nozzles may deliver either a square or cone shaped spray pattern of various angles which are selected in accordance with the heat removal characteristics of a particular type of extrusion being quenched.

With respect to the underspray nozzles best illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, the nozzles located in the two outermost apertures 53 are of the fan type spray and serve to prevent the quenching medium from running along the underside of the extrusion toward the ends of the spray chamber; the nozzles located in the innermost apertures are of the deluge type .and .are intended to effect the bulk of the heat removal from the lower portions of the extrusion. -It will be recognized that splash and spray is a significantly lesser problem in the lower quenching chamber portion 70, the latter being substantially fully enclosed on all sides.

Should it be found necessary in a particular installation, the open ends of the spray chamber may be closed by means of a curtain (not shown) suspended from the end Wall 67, the curtains being formed of a suitable resilient material which can be deflected by the end of an extrusion about to enter or exit from the spray chamber.

A feature of major importance to the present invention is that of assuring a continuation of uniform'quenching longitudinally along the extrusion as the latter passes through the quenching chamber with interrupted movement. To this end'it should be noted that the apparatus of this invention is intended primarily for use with an extrusion press wherein hot metal in a substantially plastic state is forced through a shaping die by means of a ram which moves through a finite linear path. When the ram reaches the end of its stroke, the extrusion must be sheared from the die, and the butt end of the billet discharged before the press can be reloaded with a new billet. It is apparent that when the ram reaches the end of its stroke, forward movement of the extrusion stops and the extrusion remains stationary while the butt end is sheared and discharged. Due to the fact that it is impossible to provide a quenching means immediately adjacent the forming die of the extrusion press, a given segment of the extrusion is subjected to gradual cooling due to heat conduction from the hot unquenched portion through the metal to that portion thereof which has just entered the quenching chamber. If the aforementioned segment of the extrusion remains unquenched for an excessive length of time, the gradual cooling continues to the point where desirable high mechanical properties are lost. In an average sized extrusion, \for example, a period of not over 15 seconds is permissible within the gradual cooling state. It has been found, however, that frequently considerably longer periods of time :are required to perform the aforementioned shearing operation during which the extrusion must remain stationary.

To obviate the apparent disadvantage inherent in the interrupted movement of the extrusion, there is provided a moveable spray manifold which functions to maintain the relative movement between the extrusion and the source of the quenching liquid for at least an interim period of time sufficient to effect the aforementioned shearing operation and preferably to commence movement of the extrusion by suitable exterior means. Referring to FIGURES 1 and 5, the moveable spray manifold is seen to comprise a continuous conduit having a configuration corresponding generally to a lateral cross section of the hood 60. The conduit 100, which is disposed exteriorly of the entrance or hot end of hood 60, has a plurality of branch conduits 102 which extend from conduit 100 toward the center of hood 60 and termi nate a short distance inwardly from end Wall 67. It will be observed that three of the conduits 102 which extend into the upper chamber portion 68 pass through suitable apertures 104 formed in wall 67, and the remaining two conduits 102 are disposed beneath the run out table 30. All of the conduits 102 communicate with nozzles 106 which are all disposed adjacent the foremost aperture 53 formed in the graphite slab 52, and are adapted to direct liquid spray around substantially the entire periphery of an extrusion passing over this aperture. Each of the branch conduits 102 is provided with a suitable control valve 82 and pressure gage 84 for the purpose of adjusting the liquid flow rate as described above.

Quench-ing liquid is delivered to conduit 100 from manifold 72 through a suitable flexible connection 108.

The conduit 100 is secured by any convenient means to a mounting bracket 110 secured to a carriage 112 provided with wheels 114 which are adapted to roll on track 116 mounted adjacent upper wall 64 of hood 60* and extending outwardly :beyond end wall 67 and parallel to the longitudinal axis of hood 60. Carriage 112 is moved in a reciprocatory manner by means of piston 118 which forms part of a double acting fluid motor 120 The direction of movement of piston 118 is controlled by suitable control means 122 which may conveniently though not necessarily take the form of a pair of solenoided operated valves for directing a control fluid into one end or the other of fluid motor 120, either directly into motor 120 from control means 122 to extend piston 118 outwardly of motor 120, or through a connection 124 to the other end of motor 120 to retract piston 118 back within motor 120. A suitable source of pressure fluid is provided, being indicated generally by the inlet pipe 126.

Control means 122 is also provided with a speed control adjustment, preferably in the form of needle valves 128 and 130 which regulate the rate of flow of the control fluid into one end or the other of the motor 120 thereby adjustably controlling the rate of speed at which the manifold 100 travels. It should be noted that by providing independent speed control for each direction of movement of piston 118, the moveable manifold may, for example, be moved outwardly or toward the extrusion press at a relatively slow rate of speed, i.e. commensurate with extrusion speed, with a much faster rate of return when the extrusion has been withdrawn from the quenching chamber.

In order to properly cycle the series of events involved in this aspect of the invention, a suitable timing mechag nism 132 is connected as by leads 134 to the control means 122 and has provision for setting the timing mechanism to properly sequence the individual valves of the control means in order to effect movement of the manifold 100 and its associated nozzles at the desired time.

The timing mechanism is suitably connected as by leads 136 to an appropriate sensing device which senses an interruption in the movement of the extrusion. The sensing device may be of any desired type and may operate in a number of Ways, either directly from the extrusion or from some associated part which moves therewith. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensing device comprises a micro-switch 138 located in the extrusion press in the path of movement of the press ram which strikes a switch actuator 140 when the ram reaches the end of its stroke.

From the foregoing description the operation of the moveable manifold and its control mechanism is readily apparent, as follows: When the ram reaches the end of its stroke, at which point the extrusion stops its forward movement, and assuming that the moveable manifold, which constitutes a quenching station, is then disposed at its innermost or first location with piston 118 fully retracted within motor 120, switch 138 closes the circuit 136 to commence actuation of the timing mechanism 132, which substantially simultaneously sends an impulse to control means 122 to open the appropriate valve and admit pressure fluid from source 126 into the left hand end of motor 120 thereby commencing movement of piston 118 and manifold 100 outwardly toward the exit face 26 of the extrusion press to a second location. This outward movement of the manifold will continue for so long as the timing mechanism 132 is set to maintain the appropriate valve in an open position, or until piston 118 reaches its fully extended position. In the illustrated embodiment the piston 118 has approximately a 15 inch stroke and by means of one of the speed control elements 128 or 130, can be adjusted to cover this distance in 5 seconds to 5 minutes.

At the end of a predetermined period of dwell in the fully extended position of piston 118, the timing mechanism 132 reverses the position of the control valves within the control means 122 to admit pressure fluid through conduit 124 into the right hand end of fluid motor 120 thereby retracting piston 118 back wtihin motor 120 and causing a corresponding movement of manifold from its extended position to its original position. The aforementioned period of dwell, it will be understood, is synchronized by means of the timing mechanism 132, to at least a portion, or all, of the time required to shear the butt end of the extrusion and renew its linear movement through the quenching chamber. When piston 118 has been fully retracted within motor 120, the timer has completed its sequencing cycle and is then reset and ready for the next actuation by micro-switch 138.

By this procedure it is apparent that a uniform controlled quenching of the entire extrusion is maintained even though the extrusion must be stopped before its entire length has passed through the quenching chamber. It has been found that without the moveable spray manifold of this invention, a maximum dwell of 15 to 20 seconds of the extrusion is permissible before gradual cooling reaches the point where mechanical properties are lost. In contrast, however, with the moveable manifold as described, it becomes possible to permit the extrusion to remain stationary for as long as 60 seconds, which length of time is not only desirable but frequently necessary to effect the necessary shearing operation.

While the above described apparatus illustrates a preferred embodiment of achieving the aforementioned objects and advantages of the present invention, it is readily apparent that other modifications of various aspects of the apparatus are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the appended claims. For example, it may be deemed expedient to fabricate the run out table slab 52 into a number of completely separate sections of any desired size, with the apertures 53 being defined by selected spacing between the various sections of the slab. Such construction would facilitate easier handling by reducing weight and size of components, and would have the added advantage of rendering the size of apertures 53 adjustable in accordance with different spray patterns which may be selected.

In addition to the above described moveable spray manifold, other modifications for achieving the desired result are intended to be within the scope of the invention. For example, the entire hood assembly 60 could conveniently be mounted on wheels adapted to move along a track suitably supported by the run out table framework, with suitable operating mechanism associated with the run out table and the hood assembly such that the hood assembly itself would move toward the extrusion press upon a cessation of movement of the extrusion in a manner as aforesaid relative to the moveable spray manifold 100.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings that there has been provided a spray quenching apparatus and method which is believed to provide a solution to the foregoing problems and achieve the aforementioned objects. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and shown herein which are deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention, and which are susceptible of modification of form, size, arrangement of parts, and detail of operation, but rather is intended to encompass all such modifications as are within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. A method of continuously and uniformly quenching a hot metal extrusion which is subject to intermittent movement as it emerges from an extrusion press comprising the steps of (A) continuously quenching an extrusion at a quenching station disposed at a first location spaced from an extrusion press as said extrusion moves through said quenching station,

(B) moving said quenching station toward said extrusion press to a second location disposed nearer said extrusion press while said extrusion remains stationary to maintain said continuous quenching of said extrusion, and

(C) thereafter removing s-aid extrusion from said quenching station.

2. A method of continuously and uniformly quenching a hot metal extrusion which is subject to intermittent movement as it emerges from an extrusion press comprising the steps of (A) continuously applying a quenching medium along the length of an extrusion at a quenching station disposed at a first location spaced from an extrusion press as said extrusion moves through said quenching station, I

(B) maintaining said continuous application of said quenching medium to said extrusion while said extrusion is stationary by moving said quenching station to a second location disposed nearer said extrusion press, and

(C) thereafter removing said extrusion from said quenching station.

3. A method of continuously and uniformly quenching a hot metal extrusion which is subject to intermittent movement as it emerges from an extrusion press comprising the steps of (A) moving an extrusion through a quenching station disposed at a first location spaced from an extrusion press,

(B) applying a quenching medium to said moving extrusion while said quenching station is at said first location,

(C) moving said quenching station toward said extrusion press to a second location disposed nearer said extrusion press while said extrusion remains stationary to maintain said quenching of said extrusion along the length thereof, and

(D) thereafter removing said extrusion from said quenching station.

4. A method of continuously and uniformly quenching a hot metal extrusion which is subject to intermittent movement as it emerges from an extrusion press comprising the steps of (A) moving an extrusion through a quenching station disposed at a first location spaced from an extrusion press,

(B) applying a quenching medium to said moving extrusion while said quenching station is at said first location,

(C) stopping the movement of said extrusion past said quenching station while a terminal portion of said extrusion remains unquenched,

(D) simultaneously therewith moving said quenching station from said first location to a second location disposed nearer said extrusion press to maintain said quenching of said extrusion along the length thereof, and

(E) thereafter removing said extrusion from said quenching station.

5. A method of continuously and uniformly quenching a hot metal extrusion which is subject to intermittent movement :as it emerges from an extrusion press comprising the steps of (A) moving an extrusion through a quenching station disposed at a first location in spaced relationship with an extrusion press,

(B) continuously applying a quenching medium to said moving extrusion while said quenching station is at said first location,

(C) stopping the movement of said extrusion past said quenching station while a terminal portion of said extrusion remains unquenched,

(D)simultaneously with said stoppage commencing movement of said quenching station from said first location to a second location disposed intermediate said first location and said extrusion press thereby maintaining said continuous application of said quenching medium to at least a segment of said terminal portion of said extrusion along the length thereof, and

(E) thereafter removing said extrusion from said quenching station.

6. A method of continuously and uniformly quenching a hot metal extrusion which is subject to intermittent movement as it emerges from an extrusion press comprising the steps of (A) moving an extrusion throguh a quenching station disposed at a first location in spaced relationship with an extrusion press,

(B) continuously applying a quenching medium to said moving extrusion while said quenching station is at said first location,

(C) stopping the movement of said extrusion past said quenching station while a terminal portion of said extrusion remains unquenched,

(D) simultaneously with said stoppage commencing movement of said quenching station from said first location to a second location disposed intermediate said first location and said extrusion press thereby maintaining said continuous application of said quenching medium to at least a segment of said terminal portion of said extrusion along the length thereof,

(E) stopping the movement of said quenching station when said quenching station is at said second location and (F) thereafter commencing movement of said extrusion past said quenching station thereby maintaining said continuous application of said quenching medium to the remainder of said terminal portion of said extrusion.

7. Apparatus for continuously and uniformly quenching hot metal extrusions as they emerge from an extrusion press comprising (A) an elongate liquid collection tank adapted to be placed adjacent the exit face of an extrusion press,

(B) means pivotally mounted on said tank adjacent the end thereof remote from said extrusion press for receiving and supporting metal extrusions, said means being adapted to have one end thereof disposed adjacent the forming die of said extrusion press,

(C) means secured adjacent said one end of said receiving and supporting means for raising or lowering said one end relative to said tank,

(D) a hood mounted on said receiving and supporting means, said hood being open at opposite ends thereof and defining a quenching chamber through which said extrusions pass,

(E) a plurality of spray nozzles disposed in said quenching chamber, and

(F) means for delivering a quenching liquid under high pressure to said nozzles whereby said extrusions are rapidly and continuously quenched by high impact liquid spray impinging thereon.

8. Apparatus for continuously and uniformly quenching hot metal extrusions as they emerge from an extrusion press comprising (A) a elongate upwardly open liquid collection tank adapted to be placed adjacent the exit face of an extrusion press,

(B) an elongate run out table pivotally mounted on said tank adjacent the end thereof remote from said extrusion press, said run out table (1) having a length in excess of the length of said tank whereby one end of said run out table is adapted to be disposed adjacent the forming die of said extrusion press,

(2) said run out table having a width over that portion of its length which overlies said tank substantially equal to the width of said tank,

(C) means secured adjacent said one end of said run out table for raising and lowering said one end relative to said tank,

(D) a hood mounted on said overlying portion of said run out table, said hood (1) being open at opposite ends thereof and (2) having a length and width corresponding to that of said overlying portion of said run out table thereby closing the upper open end of said tank and defining therewith a quenching chamber through which said extrusions pass on said run out table,

(E) a plurality of spray nozzles disposed in said quenching chamber, and

(F) means for delivering a quenching liquid under high pressure to said nozzles whereby said extrusions are rapidly and continuously quenched by high impact liquid spray impinging thereon.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 further including control means associated with said spray nozzles for adjustably controlling the volume and pressure at which said quenching liquid is discharged from said nozzles.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said run out table divides said quenching chamber into upper and lower portions and is apertured to provide communication between said upper and lower chamber portions.

'11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said spray nozzles are disposed in each of said upper and lower quenching chamber portions, at least some of said nozzles being disposed adjacent said aperture whereby said extrusions are quenched substantial-1y uniformly around the periphery thereof.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 further including means located within said quenching chamber for preventing liquid spray from emerging through said opposite open ends of said hood.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said run out table comprises (A) a first pair of spaced apart parallel rails which extend longitudinally beyond at least one end of said tank and are spaced laterally inwardly from the side walls of said tank,

(B) means extending between and supported by said first pair of rails presenting a substantially smooth flat supporting surface adapted to have said extrusions move thereon in sliding relationship, and

(C) a second pair of parallel rails united with said first pair of rails, said second pair of rails being of approximately equal length to that of said tank and spaced apart laterally to lie just within said sides of said tank, said second pair of rails supporting-said hood whereby said run out table and said hood move as a unit upon actuation of said raising and lowering means.

14. Apparatus for continuously and uniformly quenching hot metal extrusions as they emerge from an extrusion press comprising (A) an elongate upwardly open liquid collection tank adapted to be placed adjacent the exit face of an extrusion press,

(B) an elongate run out table pivotally mounted on said tank adjacent the end thereof remote from said extrusion press, said run out table comprising (1) a first pair of spaced apart parallel rails which extend longitudinally beyond the end of said tank adjacent said extrusion press whereby one end of rails is adapted to lie adjacent the forming die of said extrusion press, said first pair of rails being spaced laterally inwardly from the sides of said tank,

(2) means extending between and supported by said first pair of rails presenting a substantially smooth fiat supporting surface adapted to have said extrusions move thereon in sliding relationship, said means having a plurality of open portions disposed in longitudinally spaced relationship,

(3) a second pair of parallel rails united with said first pair of rails, said second pair of rails being of approximately equal length to that of said tank and spaced apart laterally beyond said first pair of rails to lie just within said sides of said tank, thereby defining a marginal space between each adjacent first and second rail,

(C) means secured to said first pair of rails adjacent said one end thereof for raising and lowering said one end relative to said tank,

(D) a hood mounted on said second pair of rails, said hood ( 1) being open at opposite longitudinal ends there of and (2) having a length and width corresponding to that of said tank thereby closing the upper open end of said tank and defining therewith a quenching chamber through which said'extrusions pass on said run out table surface,

(a) said quenching chamber being subdivided into upper and lower portions by said run out table,

(b) said upper and lower portions communicating With each other through said apertures and said marginal spaces,

(E) a plurality of spray nozzles disposed in longitudinally spaced relationship in said upper and lower quenching chamber portions,

(1) the nozzles in said upper portion being situated so as to direct liquid spray against the top and side portions of extrusions passing over said supporting surface,

(2) the nozzles in said lower portion being situated adjacent said apertures so as to direct liquid spray against the under side of said extrusions whereby said extrusions are quenched substantially uniformly around the periphery thereof,

(F) means disposed in said upper and lower quenching chamber portions for preventing liquid spray from emerging through said opposite open ends of said hood, and

(G) means for delivering a quenching llqllld under high pressure to said spray nozzles whereby sa d extrusions are rapidly quenched by high impact liquid spray impinging thereon.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said means for preventing said emergence of said liquid spray comprises at least one of said plurality of nozzles in each of said chamber portions being disposed ad acent each opposite end of said chamber and being of a configuration to deliver liquid spray in a relatively thin wide angle substantially planer pattern thereby presenting a liquid curtain over said opposite open ends which is substantially impenetrable to said spray.

16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein said means for delivering said quenching liquid comprises (A) a source of said liquid at high pressure,

(B) a main delivery manifold mounted on said hood,

(C) a plurality of conduits connected to said manifold and communicating with said nozzles in said upper spray chamber portion, and

(D) a plurality of conduits connected to said manifold and communicating with said nozzles in said lower chamber portion.

1 5 17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 further including flow control means in each of said conduits for adjustably controlling the volume of said quenching liquid delivered to said spray nozzles.

18. Apparatus for continuously and uniformly quenching hot metal extrusions subject to intermittent movement as they emerge from an extrusion press comprising (A) means for receiving and supporting a metal extrusion and adapted to have said extrusion move thereover in a first longitudinal direction as said extrusion emerges from the exit die of an extrusion press,

(B) means operatively associated with said receiving and supporting means and disposed at a first location relative to said receiving and supporting means for applying a quenching medium to said extrusion as said extrusion moves longitudinally along said receiving and supporting means in said first direction, and

(C) means responsive to an interruption of movement of said extrusion for moving said quenching means from said first location toward a second location relative to said receiving and supporting means spaced from said first location in a direction opposite said first direction whereby uniform quenching of said extrusion is maintained along the length thereof.

19. Apparatus for continuously and uniformly quenching hot metal extrusions subject to intermittent movement as they emerge from an extrusion press comprising (A) means for receiving and supporting a metal extrusion and adapted to be placed adjacent the exit die of an extrusion press to permit an extrusion to .pass thereover in a first longitudinal direction as said extrusion emerges from said exit die,

(B) means moveably supported by said receiving and supporting means and disposed at a first location relative to said receiving and supporting means for applying a quenching medium to said extrusion as said extrusion moves longitudinally along said receiving and supporting means in said first direction, and

(C) means responsive to a cessation OLf movement of said extrusion for substantially simultaneously commencing movement of said quenching means from said first location toward a second location relative to said receiving and supporting means spaced from said first location in a direction opposite said first direction whereby uniform quenching of said extrusion is maintained along the length thereof.

20.. Apparatus for continuously and uniformly quenching hot metal extrusions subject to intermittent movement as they emerge from an extrusion press comprising (A) elongate means for receiving and supporting a metal extrusion and adapted to have one longitudinal end thereof placed adjacent the exit die of an extrusion press to permit an extrusion to pass thereover in a first longitudinal direction as said extrusion emerges from said exit die,

(B) enclosure means mounted on said receiving and supporting means and defining there-with an elongate quenching chamber,

(C) means moveably mounted on said enclosure means and disposed at a first location within said enclosure 1% I means for applying a quenching medium to said extrusion as said extrusion moves longitudinally through said quenching chamber in said first direction, and

(D) actuating means responsive to a cessation 'Olf movement of said extrusion for substantially simultaneously commencing movement of said quenching means from said first location toward a second location within said enclosure means spaced from said location in a direction opposite said first direction whereby uniform quenching of said extrusion is maintained along the length thereof.

21. Apparatus for continuously and uniformly quenching hot metal extrusions subject to intermittent movement as they emerge from an extrusion press comprising (A) elongate means for receiving and supporting a metal extrusion and adapted to have one longitudinal end thereof placed adjacent the exit die of an extrusion press to permit an extrusion to pass thereover in a first longitudinal direction as said extrusion emerges from said exit die,

(B) enclosure means mounted on said receiving and supporting means and defining therewith an elongate quenching chamber,

(C) means moveably mounted on said enclosure means and disposed at a first location Within said enclosure means for applying a quenching medium to said extrusion as said extrusion moves longitudinally through said quenching chamber in said first direction, and

(D) actuating means (1) responsive to a cessation of movement of said extrusion for substantially simultaneously commencing movement of said quenching means from said first location toward a second location within said enclosure means spaced from said first location in a direction opposite said first direction, and

(2) operable to maintain said quenching means at said second location for a predetermined length of time and to thereafter commence movement of said quenching means from said second location toward said first location, whereby uniform quenching of said extrusion is maintained along the length thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS DAVID L. RECK, Examiner.

HYLAND BIZOT, Primary Examiner.

R. O. DEAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A METHOD OF CONTINUOUSLLY AND UNIFORMLY QUENCHING A HOT METAL EXTRUSION WHICH IS SUBJECT TO INTERMITTENT MOVEMENT AS IT EMERGES FROM AN EXTRUSION PRESS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF (A) CONTINUOUSLY QUENCHING AN EXTRUSION AT A QUENCHING SATION DISPOSED AT A FIRST LOCATION SPACED FROM AND EXTRUSION PRESS AS SAID EXTRUSION MOVES THROUGH SAID QUENCHING STATION, (B) MOVING SAID QUENCHING STATION TOWARD SAID EXTRUSION PRESS TO A SECOND LOCATION DISPOSED NEARER SAID EXTRUSION PRESS WHILE SAID EXTRUSION REMAINS STA- 